Systems and methods of tracking objects

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods of tracking attributes of objects, including a sensor configured to detect data related to one or more attributes of the object, a tracking device attachable to the object to transmit data detected by the sensor, a software application modifiable by a user, the software application being configured to receive transmitted data from the tracking device, firmware within a chip on the tracking device configured to determine a frequency of data transmissions from the tracking device to the software application based on transmission rules related to characteristics of transmitted data, and a display configured to show the frequency of data transmissions from the tracking device to the software application.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/856,272, filed on Apr. 23, 2020, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Tracking the location and movement of pets, children and other preciousor valuable assets has been a significant concern for many. For example,pets will frequently travel beyond the boundaries of their owner's homeor property or otherwise need to be located. When unrestrained, theseanimals may wander away without the knowledge of their owner, and areliable to become temporarily lost, permanently lost, or even injured.Similarly, marine, powersports, and RV's, and other assets arerelatively costly items and many of these assets are not shipped withbatteries onboard. Manufacturers and dealers will want to track theseassets to maintain data regarding their inventory composition and toprovide valuable marketing data such as time and location of sales anddelivery.

Tracking devices relying on battery power will have to be cognizant ofpower demands in order to maximize the battery recharge cycles. Thebattery recharge or replacement cycle will depend on how often thetracking device reports the location of the asset while in variousmodes. For example, where the asset is located within a physicallyconstrained area or within a geofence location, then a limited number oftransmissions would be acceptable since the position of the asset isgenerally known, and in the case of objects, there would be little to nomovement within these regions. On the other hand, where the asset isoutside of the geofence, then a higher frequency of transmissions willbe necessary to determine position.

Known tracking systems have been less than satisfactory in providing theuser the ability to view the power remaining for a particular mode andprovide an ability to switch modes and vary the frequency oftransmissions. Improvement is desired in order to facilitate improvedbattery life.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Example embodiments of the present general inventive concept can providea system for tracking attributes of objects, including a sensorconfigured to detect data related to one or more attributes of theobject, a tracking device attachable to the object to transmit datadetected by the sensor, a software application modifiable by a user, thesoftware application being configured to receive transmitted data fromthe tracking device, firmware within a chip on the tracking deviceconfigured to determine a frequency of data transmissions from thetracking device to the software application based on transmission rulesrelated to characteristics of transmitted data, and a display configuredto show the frequency of data transmissions from the tracking device tothe software application.

Example embodiments of the present general inventive concept can alsoprovide a system for tracking location and/or movement of objects,including a tracking device attachable to the object to transmitlocation and/or movement data of the object, a sensor configured todetermine whether the tracking device is moving or stationary, a batteryconfigured to power the tracking device, a software applicationmodifiable by a user, the software application being configured toreceive transmitted location and/or movement data from the trackingdevice, firmware within a chip on the tracking device configured todetermine a frequency of data transmissions from the tracking device tothe software application based on transmission rules related tocharacteristics of transmitted location and/or movement data, and adisplay configured to show a level of battery life and the frequency ofdata transmissions from the tracking device to the software application.

Embodiments of the present general inventive concept can also provide apet, child, power sport, recreational vehicle or other asset system fortracking with extended battery life comprising: a tracking device withinternal battery supply, attached to the pet, child, power sport,recreational vehicle or other asset; a software application that may bemodified by a user and determines a frequency of data transmissionsrequired as the pet, child, power sport, recreational vehicle or otherasset moves among locations, and collects the data that the trackingdevice sends through a Blue Tooth, WIFI, or cellular connection;firmware within a chip on the tracking device that determines how oftendata is sent from the tracking device to the software application; adisplay that shows the frequency mode of the tracking device and anamount of battery life remaining on the internal battery; and a sensorattached to the tracking device that determines whether the trackingdevice is moving or stationary.

Example embodiments of the present general inventive concept can also beachieved by providing a pet, child, power sport, recreational vehicle orother asset method for tracking with extended battery life comprising:attaching a tracking device with internal battery supply to the pet,child, power sport, recreational vehicle or other asset; providing asoftware application that determines a frequency of data transmissionsrequired of the tracking device as the pet, child, power sport,recreational vehicle or other asset moves among locations; providing adisplay screen that shows the frequency mode of the tracking device andan amount of battery life remaining on the internal battery; detectingthe presence of geofence boundary by comparing location data against mapdata; and modifying a number and frequency of data transmissionsprovided by the tracking device based on the presence of a geofence,movement of the tracking device and location of the tracking device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments of the present general inventive concept will becomemore clearly understood from the following detailed description of thepresent general inventive concept read together with the drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates a top level view of the tracking device and systemaccording to an example embodiment of the present general inventiveconcept.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing the stages of the process while thetracking device is in sleep mode according to an example embodiment ofthe present general inventive concept.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing the stages of the process while thetracking device is in monitor mode according to an example embodiment ofthe present general inventive concept.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing the stages of the process while thetracking device is in locate mode according to an example embodiment ofthe present general inventive concept.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing the stages of the process while thetracking device is in emergency mode according to an example embodimentof the present general inventive concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to the example embodiments of the presentgeneral inventive concept, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawing(s) and illustration(s). The example embodiments aredescribed herein in order to explain the present general inventiveconcept by referring to the figure(s). The following detaileddescription is provided to assist the reader in gaining a comprehensiveunderstanding of the structures described herein. Accordingly, variouschanges, modification, and equivalents of the structures and techniquesdescribed herein will be suggested to those of ordinary skill in theart. The descriptions are merely examples, however, and the sequencetype of operations is not limited to that set forth herein and may bechanged as is known in the art, with the exception of operationsnecessarily occurring in a certain order. Also, description ofwell-known functions and constructions may be omitted for increasedclarity and conciseness

This invention includes a screen on the device or display screen runningon the software application, or a separate screen that the device canconnect to, or a combination thereof, that displays the mode of thetracking device. The device modes may include, but are not limitedto: 1. sleep mode, 2. monitor mode, 3. locate mode, and 4. emergencymode. Each mode represents a frequency of pings and which can be changedby the software developer or by the consumer in their softwareapplication. The sleep mode will be the fewest frequency pings and maybe the mode in which the tracking device is operating while it is in ageofence. Monitor mode will be a higher frequency of pings and a locatemode may be yet a further increased number of transmissions per giventime interval. The emergency mode will be entered when, for example, thepet is outside of the geofence and the owner is needing to receive anintense number of transmissions to assure proper location, especially ifthe pet or other asset is moving.

An example of a readout might be as follows:

Sleep mode 9 days battery life left Monitor mode 5 days Locate mode 1day Emergency mode 4 hours

It is envisioned that a charge will may be made to the customer toenable more frequent transmissions and a readout showing the mode andbattery life left, and that the revenues derived from the customer, andin the case where the tracking device is used for pets, may be sharedwith the pet store. The user or multiple users will be able to know thebattery life remaining in any of the modes. They will be able to switchto any of the modes and know the battery life left in the selected mode.This increases or decreases the remainder of the battery life. The userwill also be able to enter into a specific mode and change the frequencyof transmissions to assist in location and tracking and know the batterylife based on the frequency of transmissions they have set the softwareapplication and tracking device to. The software application willcommunicate with the tracking device to change the frequency of thetransmissions.

Sleep mode is implemented when the tracked object is inside a definedgeofence or within another physically enclosed location. In that case,according to one embodiment of the invention, the tracking device willbe connected by Bluetooth or WIFI. In one embodiment, priority will begiven to Bluetooth first, WIFI second, cellular third, and GPS fourth.Thus, in the sleep mode, the cellular connection will likely besleeping, and the power consumption will be based on the amount of powerconsumed by the Bluetooth connection or WIFI. Only sensor data is beingcollected in this mode, in order to determine if there has been movementby the tracked object outside of the defined geofence or within anotherphysically enclosed location, and will be transmitted at predeterminedintervals to the receiving platform via the Bluetooth or WIFIconnection. The system may detect the presence of a geofence boundary bycomparing location data against known map data. Motion detection may beaccomplished by use of an accelerometer or gyroscope. Other sensorswhich may be used include, but are not limited to, an altitude sensor,temperature sensor, or magnetometer.

FIG. 1 illustrates a depiction of the overall system concept. A user viaa software application is able to set or override current mode and setthe ping frequency. The user can also view in the software applicationthe current mode and remaining battery life info based on the currentmode. The user may also be able to share location information with thirdparties. The various mode attributes are shown in the figure. In Sleepmode, the tracking device is inside a defined stationary geofence. Thismode has the lowest frequency ping rate and the longest battery life anduses local geofence information to determine if the tracking deviceleaves the geofence. In Locate mode, the tracking device is outside ofall defined geofences. This mode has the second highest ping rate andthe second shortest battery life. In Monitor mode, the tracking deviceis inside a moving geofence. It has the second lowest frequency rate andthe second longest battery life. Location data is sent to the softwareapplication when movement stops or stops. The user chooses Emergency onthe tracking device, and this mode has the highest frequency ping rateand the shortest battery life.

The tracking device attributes include an internal battery supply andonboard sensors including accelerometer, altimeter, thermometer andothers. The tracking device stores user defined geofences locally,although the geofences can also be stored on the software application,and communicates with the software application via the protocol whichprovides the least drain on the battery. Similarly, the tracking devicedetermines geolocation with the most battery-friendly approach from GPS,Triangulation using WIFI, Triangulation using cellular, or provided byanother device that the tracking device is paired with via Bluetooth.

FIG. 2 represents the stages of the process while the tracking device isin the Sleep mode. Since the tracking device will be located within ageofence during this step, only minimal transmission will be required.In the first step shown, the tracking device is sending data to thesoftware application at a rate controlled by instructions from thefirmware within the chip on the tracking device. While the trackingdevice is sending data, the software application listens for requestsfor position data transmissions from the tracking device. Additionally,the firmware in the tracking device can be updated by the softwareapplication so that the firmware is set to send the data in differentintervals based on the location, activity and sensors on the trackingdevice. Next, the tracking device checks for movement using anaccelerometer. If the tracking device detects that movement has stoppedor started, the tracking device transmits tracking information. Finally,the tracking device checks the presence of the tracking device within ageofence. If the tracking device has left the geofence, then thetracking device transmits tracking information and the mode changes toLocate mode, or Emergency mode if activated by the device owner, or forexample by the pet owner, parent, caregiver, or other user. If thetracking device determines that it is still within the geofence then theprocess repeats itself within a loop.

Location may be based on the geolocation of the WIFI. For example, thefirst step in determining a tracking device's position may be todetermine the distance between the target client tracking device and acouple of access points. With the distances between the target deviceand access points known, trilateration algorithms may then be used todetermine the relative position of the target device, and using as areference the known position of access points. In another embodiment,the angle of arriving signals at a target client device may be employedto determine the tracking device's location based on triangulationalgorithms. Various combination of these approaches may be used toincrease the accuracy of the system. Location may also be based on thelocation of a Bluetooth compliant tracking device, for example asmartphone, which is coupled with the tracking device.

Monitor mode is associated with a moving geofence, for example a movinglocation that is associated with some portable electronic device. Thetracking device may be in monitor mode while walking or driving. Whilein monitor mode, the tracking device will transmit data slightly morefrequently than it would while in the Sleep mode. In this case, thetracking device may be paired with a smartphone running the appropriateapplication. Power consumption therefore will be based on the Bluetoothconnection. Both sensor and location data may be collected, and can betransmitted at predetermined intervals to the platform via Bluetooth orWIFI. Location of the tracking device will be based on the geolocationof the WIFI or based on the location of the smartphone coupled to thetracking device. In the case where the Bluetooth connection is notavailable, the tracking device will automatically go into locate mode,as described below, since it will no longer be within the movinggeofence, and will also be outside of a static geofence. Once thetracking device is located, if it is found to be within a geofence onceagain, the mode will change back to the Sleep mode.

FIG. 3 represents the stages of the process while the tracking device isin the Monitor mode. Since the tracking device will be located within amoving geofence during this step, more transmission will be requiredthan in Sleep mode. In the first step shown, the tracking device issending data to the software application at a rate controlled byinstructions from the firmware within the chip on the tracking device.While the tracking device is sending data, the software applicationlistens for requests for position data transmissions from the trackingdevice. Additionally, the firmware in the tracking device can be updatedby the software application so that the firmware is set to send the datain different intervals based on the location, activity and sensors onthe tracking device. Next, the tracking device checks for movement usingan accelerometer. If the tracking device detects that movement hasstopped or started, the tracking device transmits tracking information.Finally, the system determines whether a Bluetooth connection is stillavailable. If there is no longer a Bluetooth connection, then thetracking device has left the moving geofence, the tracking devicetransmits tracking information, and the mode changes to Locate mode, orEmergency mode if activated through the software application by thedevice owner, or for example by the pet owner, parent, caregiver, orother user. If the tracking device determines that it is still withinthe moving geofence then the process repeats itself within a loop.

Locate mode may be implemented when the tracking device is outside adefined geofence. In this case, routes may be recorded, and the trackingdevice transmits data more frequently than it would while in Monitormode. Giving priority to Bluetooth first, WIFI second, Cellular third,and GPS last, there are several different scenarios which may arise, andare each described below.

If the tracking device is paired with a Bluetooth compatible smartphonerunning the appropriate application, the mode will be changed to Monitormode as described in a paragraph above. The tracking device willtransmit data slightly more frequently than it would while in the Sleepmode and power consumption will be based on the Bluetooth connection

If the tracking device is on a WIFI network, location will betransmitted based on a WIFI crowdsourced location engine. The frequencyof transmission can be defined by the user in a range between a minimumand a maximum, for example from every five minutes to once per hour andit will be over a cellular radio, since it will not be able to rely onbeing connected within the WIFI network. Finally, if the tracking deviceis not on either Bluetooth or WIFI, a location fix with assistedlocation will be performed, for example by using cell towertriangulation. This will be performed at a frequency that can be definedby the user in a range between a minimum and a maximum, for example fromevery five minutes to once per hour, using the cellular network, andtransmitted to the platform. In addition to the cellular locationapproach, a GPS tracking fix may also be performed every fifth, or otherspecified, interval, in order to increase the accuracy of the trail.However, the GPS tracking fix may only be considered necessary if thetracking device is determined to be on the move.

FIG. 4 represents the stages of the process while the tracking device isin the Locate mode. The flow diagram starts with the tracked objectoutside of a defined geofence. If the transmitter is paired with aBluetooth device, then the tracking device goes into Monitor mode. Ifthe transmitter is on a WIFI network, then location data will becalculated based on a crowdsourced WIFI engine and transmitted. Thefrequency of transmission will be transmitted by cellular radio. If thetransmitter is not on WIFI or Bluetooth, then location will becalculated based on cellular tower triangulation, at a frequency definedby the user. Finally, if the transmitter is moving, then a GPS fix willalso be performed.

Emergency mode may be activated by the tracking device owner, or forexample by the pet owner, parent, caregiver, or other user. In Emergencymode, the tracking device will be outside a geofence or the trackingdevice will be lost. In this case, in order to ascertain properlocation, especially if the asset is moving, the frequency oftransmissions will be increased to a maximum level. For example,transmissions will be performed every thirty to sixty seconds. In thismode, the cellular radio will be in listening mode and the location isbeing collected and transmitted. Given the number of transmissions, thismode will be the most power consuming of those described. Thus, it willbe necessary to monitor the battery life to ensure that the trackingdevice will be able to continue to transmit data. When the batteryreaches a predetermined level, for example 20%, the tracking device willswitch to Locate mode.

FIG. 5 represents the stages of the process while the tracking device isin the Emergency mode. The flow diagram illustrates a user initiatingEmergency mode, for example when a pet or child is outside a definedgeofence or when the pet or child has been lost. Since the powerconsumption is at its greatest, it will be necessary to monitor batterylife when it reaches a depleted value. The cellular radio will be inlistening mode and the location of the tracking device may be collectedevery 30 to 60 seconds, or other time frame specified by the user withthe software application. A display showing the remaining battery lifewill be monitored by the user and when the battery reaches a specifiedthreshold, for example 20%, the tracking device will switch back toLocate mode, in order to conserve battery life.

Some embodiments provide a tracking device with a screen that displaysthe mode of the tracking device on a screen. The device modes mayinclude sleep mode, monitor mode, locate mode, and emergency mode. Eachmode represents a frequency of transmission and which can be changed bythe software developer or by the consumer in their software application.The sleep mode will be the fewest frequency pings and may be the mode inwhich the tracking device is operating while it is in a geofence.Monitor mode will be a higher frequency of pings and a locate mode maybe yet a further increased number of pings per given time interval. Theemergency mode will be entered when, for example, the pet is outside ofthe geofence and the owner needs to receive an intense number of pingsto assure proper location, especially if the pet is moving. A charge maybe made to the customer to enable readouts showing the mode and batterylife left, and that the revenues derived from the customer, and in thecase where the tracking device is used for pets, may be shared with thepet store. The user will be able to know the battery life remaining inany of the modes. The software application will communicate with thetracking device to change the frequency of the pings.

While the present general inventive concept has been illustrated bydescription of several example embodiments, and while the illustrativeembodiments have been described in detail, it is not the intention ofthe applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the generalinventive concept to such descriptions and illustrations. Instead, thedescriptions, drawings, and claims herein are to be regarded asillustrative in nature, and not as restrictive, and additionalembodiments will readily appear to those skilled in the art upon readingthe above description and drawings. Additional modifications willreadily appear to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, departures maybe made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope ofapplicant's general inventive concept.

1. A system for tracking location and/or movement of objects,comprising: a tracking device attachable to the object to transmitlocation and/or movement data of the object; a sensor configured todetermine whether the tracking device is moving or stationary; a batteryconfigured to power the tracking device; a software applicationmodifiable by a user, the software application being configured toreceive transmitted location and/or movement data from the trackingdevice; firmware within a chip on the tracking device configured todetermine a frequency of data transmissions from the tracking device tothe software application based on transmission rules related tocharacteristics of transmitted location and/or movement data; and adisplay configured to show a level of battery life and the frequency ofdata transmissions from the tracking device to the software application.2. The tracking system according to claim 1, wherein the tracking devicesends the data through a Bluetooth, Satellite, WIFI, Cellular, RF, orother wireless connection.
 3. The tracking system according to claim 1,wherein the tracking device transmits data to the software applicationaccording to a least battery consumptive protocol.
 4. The trackingsystem according to claim 3, wherein the least battery consumptiveprotocol is based on whether the tracking device moving.
 5. The trackingsystem according to claim 3, wherein the least battery consumptiveprotocol is based on location of the tracking device.
 6. The trackingsystem according to claim 3, wherein the least battery consumptiveprotocol is based on triangulation technology provided by another devicepaired with the tracking device via a wireless connection.
 7. Thetracking system according to claim 3, wherein the tracking devicedetermines geolocation of the object via the least battery consumptiveprotocol.
 8. The tracking system according to claim 1, wherein thetracking device stores one or more geofences locally or in the softwareapplication.
 9. The tracking system according to claim 8, wherein thetransmission rules are based on whether the object is in or out of theone or more geofences.
 10. The tracking system according to claim 1,wherein the transmission rules include one or more modes of operation.11. The tracking system of according to claim 10, wherein the modes ofoperation include one or more of a sleep mode, locate mode, monitormode, and emergency mode.
 12. The tracking system of according to claim10, wherein the display shows the user a current mode of operation. 13.The tracking system according to claim 12, wherein the display shows theuser the level of battery life based on the current mode of operation.14. The tracking system according to claim 1, wherein the sensorcomprises an accelerometer.
 15. The tracking system according to claim1, wherein the software application shares received location and/ormovement data with a third party.
 16. The tracking system according toclaim 1, wherein the software application is a cloud-based system. 17.The tracking system according to claim 1, wherein the softwareapplication is configured to enable the user to set the frequency ofdata transmission.
 18. A method of tracking location and/or movement ofan object, comprising: providing a tracking device to transmit locationand/or movement data of the object; providing a sensor to determinewhether the tracking device is moving or stationary; providing asoftware application to receive transmitted location and/or movementdata from the tracking device; providing firmware within a chip of thetracking device to determine a frequency of data transmissions from thetracking device to the software application based on transmission rulesrelated to characteristics of transmitted location and/or movement data;and modifying transmission rules provided to the firmware based oncharacteristics of transmitted location and/or movement data.
 19. Themethod according to claim 18, further comprising: detecting a level ofbattery life of a battery powering the tracking device; and modifyingthe frequency of data transmissions based on the level of battery life.20. The method according to claim 18, further comprising: detecting thepresence of one or more geofence boundaries by comparing location datato map data; and modifying the frequency of data transmissions based onwhether the object is in or out of the one or more geofence boundaries.21. The method according to claim 18, wherein the software applicationis configured to allow a user to vary the frequency of datatransmissions.
 22. The method of claim 18, wherein the softwareapplication provides a user the ability to switch modes of operationbetween one or more of a sleep mode, locate mode, monitor mode, oremergency mode.
 23. A system for tracking attributes of objects,comprising: a sensor configured to detect data related to one or moreattributes of the object; a tracking device attachable to the object totransmit data detected by the sensor; a software application modifiableby a user, the software application being configured to receivetransmitted data from the tracking device; firmware within a chip on thetracking device configured to determine a frequency of datatransmissions from the tracking device to the software application basedon transmission rules related to characteristics of transmitted data;and a display configured to show the frequency of data transmissionsfrom the tracking device to the software application.
 24. The system ofclaim 23, wherein the transmission rules are modifiable by the userbased on the characteristics of transmitted data.
 25. The system ofclaim 23, further comprising: a battery configured to power the trackingdevice, wherein the sensor is configured to detect a level of batterylife of the battery, and wherein the transmission rules are based on thelevel of battery life of the battery.
 26. The system of claim 23,wherein the sensor is configured to detect a temperature of the object,and wherein the transmission rules are based on the temperature of theobject.
 27. The system of claim 23, wherein the tracking device isconfigured to connect to a wireless network, and wherein thetransmission rules are based on whether the tracking device is connectedto the wireless network.
 28. The system of claim 23, wherein thetracking device is configured to connect to a Bluetooth device, andwherein the transmission rules are based on whether the tracking deviceis connected to the Bluetooth device.